CC BY-SA 3.0, 100zax, Wikimedia CommonsHike· Raiatea· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Mount Temehani Hike & Tiare Apetahi
16° 44.3′ S · 151° 27.9′ W
A climb to the Temehani plateaus above Uturoa, the only place on Earth where the critically endangered tiare 'apetahi grows. Its half-corolla white flower is the emblem of Raiatea.
Practical
The OSM 'Sentier du Mont Temehani' leaves the Apooiti/Uturoa side of the island (position shown) and climbs to the Temehani Rahi plateau (about 16.779°S 151.452°W). Tiare 'apetahi grows only on the Temehani Rahi and Temehani Ute Ute plateaus. Picking a flower or leaf, or damaging the plant, carries a fine of up to 1 million XPF and a prison sentence (French Wikipedia). Go with a local guide: the 2025 brief lists Temehani Rando (Kiam, 87 27 23 00) and Raiatea Hiking (Thierry, 87 77 91 23). Paths are muddy and slippery after rain; start early to beat the heat.
Best for
A cultural mountain hike to see a flower found nowhere else
Nearby
- Mount Tapioi Viewpoint (Uturoa)0.6 NM away
- Raiatea Market (Apooiti–airport road)0.8 NM away
- Roulotte Le Motu Tapu0.8 NM away
- Charter Bases: The Moorings / Sunsail / Tahiti Yacht Charter (Apooiti)0.9 NM away
- Hemisphère Sub Dive Centre (Apooiti)0.9 NM away
- Iaorana Yacht Services (agent)0.9 NM away
- LS Proxi Uturoa (west side)0.9 NM away
- Magasin Julien (Apooiti marina gate)0.9 NM away